Essays on Sense and Sensibility

Though publishing on consignment (referred to commonly as vanity publishing, due to the author paying the costs of printing) has a negative reputation today, many examples of historically significant works might never have seen the light of day, had it not been for the author accepting the risks involved.  In the early 19^th century, Jane Austen took such a risk, paying for a first printing of Sense and Sensibility.  The first printing was a mere 750 sets (each consisting of three volumes), but cost Austen over 150 Pounds.  Fortunately, the book was received well enough in the marketplace to earn this sum back and make her a tidy profit of 140 Pounds.

Set in the aristocratic society of Great Britain, Sense and Sensibility has often been considered the British version of “Little Women,”  though in honesty, its publication preceded “Little Women” by about a half century.  The novel follows the romantic exploits and missteps of not one, but two families with daughters, the Dashwoods (Elinor, Marianne, and Margaret) and the Steeles (Anne and Lucy).  Through a series of interrelated paramour relationships, Austen shows the growth of the five girls, some toward selfish, personal interest and others toward selfless commitment to others.

• Contrasted with the characters of “Little Women,” the characters in “Sense and Sensibility” show little interest in personal occupations, other than as future wives.  Taking into consideration the social differences of the two writers, explain why this difference exists.
• While both novels start with families in poverty, Austen and Alcott take dramatically different directions in the development of their plots and characters.  What correlations exist between the two novels?  What differences are there?  What influences might “Sense and Sensibility” have played in the writing of “Little Women?”

Though the two novels are comparative, each was born in the midst of very different societies, one of early 19^th century Great Britain, the other of mid-19^th century America.  The effects of this difference can be the subject of great debate as one must also take into account the differences in the experiences of the authors themselves.

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